Gas water heater

ABSTRACT

A gas water heater is disclosed. The gas water heater comprises a combustion chamber, a pipe assembly, a heat exchange device, and a plurality of heat conductors. The combustion chamber provides a gas flow. The heat exchange device is disposed above the combustion chamber. The heat conductors are disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device. Each heat conductor comprises a body, a plurality of trough holes, and a first flange. The body has an oblique side facing the gas flow. The through holes are disposed on the body. The first flange is formed along the oblique side of the body for collecting condensed water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The invention is a Continuation-in-Part Application of application Ser. No. 11/379,836, entitled WATER HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME, filed on Apr. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gas water heater, and more particularly to a gas water heater for discharging condensed water and recycling thermal energy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional water heater 10. Referring to FIG. 1, the water heater 10 comprises a combustion chamber 12, a pipe assembly 14 and a heat exchanger 15. Burning fuel in the combustion chamber 12 generates a high temperature gas, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and vapor. Passing through the heat exchanger 15, cold water from an inlet 14 a of the pipe assembly 14 is heated by high temperature gas. Hot water is then provided from an outlet 14 b of the pipe assembly 14. The heating efficiency of the water heater ranges between 72% and 83%. Thus, a considerable amount of heat energy generated during the heating process is dissipated, generally in the form of waste gas. Moreover, the vapor may condense into water, which adversely affects combustion, and may erode pipe assembly 14 and the heat exchanger 15.

Thus, a gas water heater capable of recycling waste gas and discharging condensed water, improving heat efficiency is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a gas water heater with heat conductors. Heat conductors comprise a special flange for guiding the condensed water.

An embodiment of a gas water heater comprises a combustion chamber, a pipe assembly, a heat exchange device, and a plurality of heat conductors. The combustion chamber provides a gas flow. The heat exchange device is disposed above the combustion chamber. The heat conductors are disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device. Each heat conductor comprises a body, a plurality of through holes, and a first flange. The body has an oblique side facing the gas flow. The through holes are disposed on the body. The first flange is formed along the oblique side of the body for collecting condensed water.

Another embodiment of a gas water heater comprises a combustion chamber, a pipe assembly, a heat exchange device, and a plurality of heat conductors. The combustion chamber provides a gas flow. The heat exchange device is disposed above the combustion chamber. The heat conductors are disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device. Each heat conductor comprises a body, a plurality of through holes, and a first flange. The body has a V-shaped side facing the gas flow. The through holes are disposed on the body. The first flange is formed along the V-shaped side of the body for collecting condensed water.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional water heater;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a gas water heater;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the first embodiment of a heat exchange device and heat conductors thereof,

FIG. 4 shows schematic front, top, and right side views of the first embodiment of the case and the heat exchange device;

FIGS. 5A-5C show different types of scratches of the first embodiment of the heat conductor;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the gas water heater;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the second embodiment of a heat exchange device and heat conductors;

FIG. 8 shows schematic front, plan, and right side views of the second embodiment of the case and the heat exchange device;

FIGS. 9A-9C show different types of scratches of the second embodiment of the heat conductor; and

FIGS. 10A-10B shows the arrangement of a first flange of the heat conductor common to the first and second embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a first embodiment of a gas water heater 20 comprising a combustion chamber 30, a pipe assembly 40, a heat exchange device 50, a plurality of heat conductors 60. The combustion chamber 30 provides a gas flow 31. The pipe assembly 40 comprises an inlet 40 a and an outlet 40 b. The heat exchange device 50 comprises a first heat exchanger 51, a second heat exchanger 52, and a case 53. The second heat exchanger 52 is disposed above the combustion chamber 30 and the first heat exchanger 51 is disposed between the second heat exchanger 52 and the combustion chamber 30. The case 53 covers the heat conductors 60.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat conductors 60 are disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device 50. As shown in FIG. 2, each heat conductor 60 comprises a body 61, a plurality of through holes 62, and a first flange 63. The body 61 has an oblique side facing the gas flow 31, and each first flange 63 is formed along the oblique side of the body 61 for collecting the condensed water. Particularly, the first flange 63 protrudes passing through the paper. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the body 61 further comprises a surface 64.

Additionally, the case 53 of the heat exchange device 50 further comprises a second flange 53 a, disposed at the edge of the case 53 and corresponding to the first flanges 63 of the heat conductors 60. Referring again in FIG. 4, the case 53 further comprises a drain 54, disposed at the edge of the case 53, under the first flange 63 and the second flange 53 a, corresponding to the first flanges 63 of the heat conductors 60 and the second flange 53 a of the case 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet 40 a and the outlet 40 b are connected to the through holes 62 a and 62 b respectively. The pipe assembly 40 between the inlet 40 a and the outlet 40 b passes through all the through holes 62 of the heat conductors 60. When the gas water heater 20 is used, the combustion chamber 30 provides the gas flow 31 and the cold water from the inlet 40 a is heated in the pipe assembly 40 by the gas flow 31. The hot water is then discharged from the outlet 40 b. The thermal efficiency of the gas water heater 20 is improved because the gas flow 31 is both applied to the first heat exchanger 51 and the second heat exchanger 52. Thus, the heat energy can be used twice, decreasing energy loss.

Furthermore, during the burning process, vapor is produced by high temperature gas. The vapor adhering to the heat conductors 60 is condensed into water that can be collected by the first flanges 63 of the heat conductors 60. The condensed water flowing along the oblique side of each body 61 (as indicated by the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4) of each first flange 63 is collected in the second flange 53 a of the case 53. The condensed water is discharged via the drain 54, protecting the pipe assembly 40 and the heat conductors 60 against erosion. Thus, the condensed water can be collected by the first flange 63 and the second flange 53 a formed at one side of the case 53, reducing material consumption and cost.

Furthermore, for enhancing collection of condensed water, the surface 64 of each heat conductor 60 further comprises a plurality of scratches to guide the condensed water. As shown in FIG. 5A, the direction of the scratches 65 a is substantially vertical to that of the gas flow 31. As shown in FIG. 5B, the direction of the scratches 65 b is substantially parallel to that of the gas flow 31. As shown in FIG. 5C, the direction of the scratches 65 c is substantially parallel to the first flange 63.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 6-9C, most of the structures in a second embodiment of a gas water heater 20′, with the exception of second flange 53 ′a of case 53′ of a heat exchange device 50′, the disposition of a drain 54′, and the shape of a plurality of heat conductors 60′ are similar to those in the first embodiment. Due to the different type of the heat exchange device 50′ and the heat conductors 60′, the arrangement of a pipe assembly 40′ is different from the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, each heat conductor 60′ comprises a body 61′ with a V-shaped side facing the gas flow 31, a plurality of through holes 62′, and a first flange 63′ formed along the V-shaped side of the body 61′ for collecting condensed water. The second flange 53 ′a of case 53′, which is V-shaped, is disposed under the first flanges 63′. Additionally, the drain 54′ is disposed at the center of the case 53′, corresponding to the second flange 53 ′a. As shown in FIG. 8, the condensed water flows in the direction indicated by the arrow, and is collected by the second flange 53 ′a. Finally, the condensed water is discharged by the drain 54′, protecting the pipe assembly 40′ and the heat conductors 60′ against erosion.

Thus, condensed water can be collected by the first flange 63′ and the second flange 53 ′a formed at one side of the case 53′, reducing material consumption and cost.

Furthermore, for enhancing collection of condensed water, each heat conductor 60 further comprises a plurality of scratches to guide the condensed water. As shown in FIG. 9A, the direction of the scratches 65 ′a is substantially vertical to that of the gas flow 31. As shown in FIG. 9B, the direction of the scratches 65 ′b is substantially parallel to that of the gas flow 31. As shown in FIG. 9C, the direction of the scratches 65 ′c is substantially parallel to the first flange 63′.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10A-10B, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the first flange 63 or 63′ can be disposed at two opposite sides of the surface 64 or 64′. Moreover, the fist flange 63 or 63′ can be disposed at only one side on surface 64 or 64′.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1. A gas water heater, comprising: a combustion chamber, providing a gas flow; a pipe assembly; a heat exchange device disposed above the combustion chamber; a plurality of heat conductors disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device, each heat conductor comprising: a body having an oblique side facing the gas flow; a plurality of through holes disposed on the body accommodating the pipe assembly therethrough; and a first flange formed along the oblique side of the body for collecting condensed water.
 2. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a surface, the through holes disposed on the surface.
 3. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first flange is disposed at both sides of the surface.
 4. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first flange is disposed at one side of the surface.
 5. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 2, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of scratches, guiding the condensed water.
 6. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 5, wherein the direction of the scratches is substantially vertical to that of the gas flow.
 7. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 5, wherein the direction of the scratches is substantially parallel to that of the gas flow.
 8. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 5, wherein the direction of the scratches is parallel to the first flange.
 9. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchange device further comprises a case, covering the heat conductors.
 10. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 9, wherein the case comprises a second flange disposed at the edge of the case, corresponding to the first flange.
 11. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 9, wherein the case comprises a drain, disposed at the edge of the case, corresponding to the first flange and the second flange.
 12. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchange device further comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, and the first heat exchanger is disposed between the second exchanger and the combustion chamber.
 13. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat conductors are heat fins.
 14. A gas water heater, comprising: a combustion chamber, providing a gas flow; a pipe assembly; a heat exchange device disposed above the combustion chamber; a plurality of heat conductors disposed in parallel in the heat exchange device, each heat conductor comprising: a body with a V-shaped side facing the gas flow; a plurality of through holes disposed on the body accommodating the pipe assembly therethrough; and a first flange formed along the V-shaped side of the body for collecting condensed water.
 15. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the body comprises a surface, the through holes disposed on the surface.
 16. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first flange is disposed at both sides of the surface.
 17. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first flange is disposed at one side of the surface.
 18. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 15, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of scratches, guiding the condensed water.
 19. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 18, wherein the direction of the scratches is vertical to that of the gas flow.
 20. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 18, wherein the direction of the scratches is substantially parallel to that of the gas flow.
 21. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 18, wherein the direction of the scratches is substantially parallel to the first flange.
 22. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heat exchange device further comprises a case, covering the heat conductors.
 23. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 22, wherein the case comprises a second flange disposed at the center of the case, corresponding to the first flange.
 24. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second flange is V-shaped.
 25. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the case comprises a drain disposed the center of the case, corresponding to the first flange and the second flange.
 26. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heat exchange device comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, and the first exchanger is disposed between the second heat exchanger and the combustion chamber.
 27. The gas water heater as claimed in claim 14, wherein the heat conductors are heat fins. 